Surviving Mommie Dearest 

Narcissists do NOT abuse everyone. The fact that Christina’s sisters did not experience the same upbringing does not invalidate Christina’s story. In a Narcissistic family, scapegoats are often chosen, with the flip side being the golden child(ren). As for Joan’s friends, well, they were her friends not her child. Thanks for all you’ve done to bring this issue to light Christina. I enjoyed your book.

I'm fascinated by the fan-girls and boys who seem clearly outraged that their "heroes" are exposed as self-centred narcissists who never should have had children. As if they'd have a clue as to the truth. Newsflash, it's her Mother, her life and her story and she has every right to tell it.

I was abused daily by my homophobic father. People see what they want to see and close their eyes to what they don't. I'm 36 years ans still terrified of my father. Now people blame me for the abuse, that I deserved it because I didn't fit his idea of what a son should be. He would pick me up by the front of my shirt, slam me against the wall, force me to look him in the eye and belittle me. He is 6'4" tall I was a small boy, I'm still small at 5'6" and 130 pounds. When he finished he would throw me down the hall like a rag doll. All my shirts were stretched out, I flinched every time someone touched me. I was covered in bruises. No one said anything, they all knew if was happening and they did nothing except tell me it was my fault. If I acted more "manly" he wouldn't be so hard on me. I believe Christina Crawford, and I know what it's like to have society blame the child for the abuse they suffer. I used to hate my father, but hate comes from anger. I no longer feel any emotion to him whatsoever.

We were beaten by our father, mostly me. Our father often completely lost control for the smallest infractions and then turned into a raging maniac. Outside of our family no one would have ever believed it. To the world he was an always friendly, reasonable, fair and intelligent man who would never turn others down when asked for help. That’s why I believe Christina. what she tells is what I experienced myself, only to a possibly even worse degree.

Christina you're and amazing person, You told the truth and that's what matters. You were an abused child and just because your mother was a Hollywood starlet doesn't make the abuse any less detrimental or wrong. Stop bashing this woman for shedding light on child abuse.

Whether those things that happened between her and her mother are true or not she is speaking on a true subject. Something that can happen in any family. Biological, adopted, upper class, lower class, rich, poor and yes even the Hollywood elites. I admire Christina for shining the light on child abuse and keeping it there.

How is it ANY of you know what REALLY happen behind close doors?? Were you there in the house? NO, you weren't. I believe Christina. How Joan was to the public was way different then behind close doors!

Anyone who doesn't believe Christina Crawford has no understanding about child abusers. People don't want to believe that not all mothers are nurtering, and may even be malevolent. I totally believe Christina. If she has made money from her story, good for her!! At least that is some sort off payback for the abuse she suffered from the woman who should have been her protector, and instead was a monster who abused her authority over a child..

I believe Christina, For one thing she is consistent on what she says, For another thing to many people put these celebrities on pedestals ,its not good.

I can't believe the comments against Christina on this page. Christina's path was pretty much dictated by the appalling abuse she suffered as a child. She was either going to grow up passing along that abuse or get help become an activist to help others and as a result help herself. And for those of you that say "I can't believe she is still banging on about this" ...I urge you to have a care...family violence is a reality and the scars last a life time.

cant belive the people sticking up for a child abusier just because she was a star she was a mentel case and an hook on the booze

So, talent excuses abuse? And frankly, Christina made a huge contribution to our culture: Before her, child abuse was a taboo subject, and something that only happened in "low class" homes. She changed the entire culture as to how we view abuse. That is, arguably, worth more than every movie Crawford ever made.

Helen Hayes, James McArthur, Rex Reed, June Allyson, Betty Hutton, Cheryl Crane, Eve Arden & Christopher Crawford have all witnessed or been able to back up that Joan Crawford was abusive. So adopting children proves you wouldn't abuse them? So every child that says there adoptive parent abused them is lying are you SERIOUSLY trying to argue this? Christina has a job, she's a very successful businesswoman in her own right & devotes her time to campaigning on behalf of abused children.

I encourage everyone to read the book biography of Joan Crawford by Bob Thomas - it was published BEFORE "Mommie Dearest" and it not only confirms that Joan was an abusive mother, with eyewitness accounts but it recounts incidents that weren't even in Christina's book. He liked Joan as an actress but he made no bones about the fact that she was a very troubled person who held grudges, never forgot the smallest slight and would attack Christina and Christopher over small things or nothing at all. It also explores her childhood, which explains why she turned out the way she did..

She's making some cash on the back of her experience? People do that _all_ the time, and why shouldn't they? I know what a fucked up childhood does to a person. Just be thankful if you never had to go through one yourself !

Only other abusers think being abused should be kept secret, and respected. Looking at some of these heartless stupid comments really reveals how we have sick ppl in this world that get mad at a victim of abuse. WHO DO THAT? a fuckin psychopath! amongst us.

Aside from whether or not the abuse allegations are true the one thing that really made me think Joan was totally out of touch and out to keep herself in the public eye was when she took over Christina's role on The Secret Storm when Christina had her appendix removed. The fact that the character was in her 20's and Joan actually thought it a good idea to portray it??? Christina finally had a bit of notice as an actress but Joan just had to horn in on it and make it about her.

This whole story fascinates me - as an adoptive mother myself and as a clinical social worker who has worked in the fields of adoption and mental health, and as the survivor of abuse. So I understand this story both professionally and personally. Although no one can truly know all that happened except Christina and Joan, I do believe Christina. Rarely do people make this stuff up. And its common for 1 or 2 children to experience abuse while other children in the family do not. Its also common for an abusive parent to target the child that most "threatens" the parent in some way. From the book and movie and countless interviews about this saga, it appears Joan was threatened by Christina as Christina got slightly older (preschool age) and people remarked that she was so pretty and poised as a child and implied she could be a performer herself one day. No one takes the spotlight from Joan and she then began to get jealous of Christina. Classic mother daughter competition, but gone awry into abusive realms. Her later daughters didn't pose the same threat to Joan - as she had already identified Christina as her threat. So their experiences with Joan were more mild, but they probably experienced some challenges with her none the less. However, kids who experience an oppressive parent tend to assume their reality is normal. So her other daughters may not have even realized their circumstances amounted to abuse. An oldest child tends to be more independent and stands up for him/herself, so Christina took a stand in a way the others didn't. Whatever the case, this family story came at a time when no one talked about such things and kids were not allowed to speak out or seek help. And adults were expected to turn a blind eye to it. Society assumed all family maters were "private". Men were allowed to beat wives or rape women and parents were allowed to do whatever they wanted to their children. The people who criticized Christina for sharing her story were a product of that "keep things private" era. But I commend Christina for speaking out. She's given a voice to many people who have experienced abuse. She was one of the first to do so - its hard to be a first. Many will criticize, but eventually more and more people speak out and things begin to change. Now we have more laws regarding preventing and stopping child abuse. If this had happened today, no one would defend Joan. I was disappointed to hear of Bill Cosby's actions because I love him as a performer. But I'm certainly not going to defend him just because of his talent. And Joan's actions were not defensible either. Wow, sorry for the length of this.

Forgiveness is powerful. I forgive my mother, my step-grandfather, my mother's friends and others who knew I was being abused. I forgive you all and pray that you heal yourselves in the mighty name of JESUS.

For those of you who are asking when Christina will stop "feeding off Joan's carcass" I would hope that she'd never stop until she is too old to continue. She should never stop telling her story. Her story resonates with a lot of victims of NPD parents. What she's doing is a good thing. Sorry that she's airing out your favorite actress' dirty laundry. She wasn't a saint. She was a narcissistic bitch!

She had nothing to do with the movie. And how on earth do you think you know what actually happened? She was there, you were not.

Parents need to earn respect from their children. The true test of a person is how they treat their kids, who have no power. That means the way they talk to them as well as their actions. Many people are simply not good enough to be good parents.

Her siblings all call her a liar but you perfect strangers who never knew Joan are the experts. Go listen to Christina's interview with Mike Wallace in 1960 and still try and convince yourself she's telling the truth.

Read about Christina's life & you'll find she's actually done a lot. She's very well qualified, has a run a series of businesses & does a lot for abused children. You only hear about her as a victim cause that's what gets reported in the press.

I love Christina Crawford. She is such an inspiration!

Bless Christina...

Child abuse is a huge issue that needs talking about I know cuz my friend was physically and verbally abused by her father badly and was removed from her parents. She turned 14 and now she's gone off the rails and homeless abuse is terrible and must be stopped

So happy that this project is coming to light and is going to reach so many!

She keeps the book in print for the MONEY💰 LOL

It's terrible, outrageous and disgusting that there are still many people who don't believe Christina and defends her abusive mother, and that she wrote the book for money!!! Really horrible

Christina has decided to do something positive with her horrible experiences as an abused child of a crazy movie queen and help other survivors. Why the need to deny her pain and blame her for her abuse and vilify her? I love Joan the movie star. That doesn't mean I feel the need to cast her as a saint and I would certainly have never wanted her as my parent.

She is an advocate for abused children. Of course she must recount her own story as part of that work. And what have you done with your life?

I remember when that movie 1st came out, my sisters were watching it everyday on HBO. I couldn't watch tv because of this! I told them " Y'all ain't tired of seein' that girl gettin' her ass beat" I'm from Texas just like Joan. I watched it once when they were asleep, then a figured out why they kept watching it, I was mesmerized, it was a shocking film, and I had had my share of ass whuppin's, but I had to do something bad to get hit!

Joan, Christina (and possibly Christopher) are the ONLY ones who knew what on in that household and what really happened. I've read some other people DEFENDED Christina in her claims. You can't put any faith or trust with Cathy or Cindy...they weren't old enough to know what was going on at the time.

Even by Christina Crawford's admission, do NOT believe the movie!!!!!! She had nothing to do with it. She had no control over it. In fact, Joan Crawford was much more evil and calculation in real-life than the movie. Just finished the book a few nights ago.

I try to keep my admiration for Crawford as a movie star separate from the craziness that has been put forward about her by many people other than Christina; children are not pets and pets are not children. Christina said it best: dogs and babies were all she was really interested in; as she and Christopher became people with their own personalities the trouble began, just as the child who loves the puppy but has no use for the dog later.

I am not a crusader like Christina, but I was one of eight children and we all were abused, verbally and physically, some of us suffered more than our siblings. Yes, you have scars, but my best life was in ministering to hurt people who suffer from depression that sometimes results from abuse. The old adage, "hurt people hurt people" is true. I do believe we are obligated to forgive our abusers. While it sounds like they don't deserve it, we are not in a position to juge that. God forgave me all my sins so I must also forgive. God requires that of us and it is the best thing we can do. As long as my rage went on, I had no peace. I found that I blamed my Dad for everything in my life that I did not like. Forgiveness takes away the power of the devil (and lest we forget) Satan is behind all evil, including abuse. In those days parents really did have the power of life and death over their children. I am glad that we have laws to protect the innocent to a degree, but let's face it, this life is not and has never been, fair. I found taking my pain to God worked for me. He became my parent for the rest of my life. And God is the Perfect Parent. He can be trusted. He heals and He forgives and to top it all off, there is not only finally peace in this life, but we have eternity to live with God. I feel rather sorry for people who hate God because I once did. He gave me a brand new life because I was born again and old things seemed to really pass away. I know it is not politically correct to praise God on these sites, but I do it anyway. He deserves it.

Tina doesn't know what abuse is. Surviving Joan Crawford was also her full time job. Since 1977 she has been trying to destroy a woman who died in 1977. The first book was already written. All they needed for is Joan to die. So they could add a final chapter. That's why Joan cut her out of the will. If this woman was so horrible and you hate her so much WHY keep Joan's last name??? Because it's your job destroying her legacy. Someday you'll be dead and that book Will disappear.

Christina is the oldest of Joan Crawford's adopted children. As of Dec-'21 she is the sole survivor of her brother & sisters. I also do believe her child abuse allegations. That was the standard of discipline in the 1940's.

Joan Crawford Did a lot of good in the world. I believe she had a good heart. It's not fair to Joan because she is not here to defend herself

I was born in 1975.i read mommie dearest in 1992.i saw the movie a few times in 2000.i reread mommie dearest in 2012.a few years ago I read the survivor.i must read the new edition of survivor.last year I bought mommie dearest on dvd.a month or so ago I got the 40th anniversary edition of mommie dearest and enjoyed reading it.over two years ago I read her book no safe place.i read her novel black widow a few times.she is an excellent writer.

Mommy dearest the movie was amazing sad she didn’t appreciate it

I wonder if Christina familiar with the movie "Precious" and done seen it.

The book Mommie Dearest was released in 1978. Will there be a 40th Anniversary edition of this fascinating document?

Christina Crawford's books make great audiobook recordings listening on MP3 players.

"Oh, that our idols should fall"-Gavin McCleod. (who believed Christina, btw).

Hey Christina! Wondering when you are ever going to make a public retraction and apology concerning the comments you made about your adoptive sisters, while you were promoting the re-issue of your book, specifically that they were not actually twins or even biological siblings. I understand that, after one of the sisters produced her birth certificate during legal arbitration proving that they were actually twins, you did decide to settle but according to the statement made by your lawyer it was based on financial reasons rather than an admission of wrongdoing. Would also be great for you to set the record straight on EXACTLY why you made those claims and for you to make a public admission of your mistake and an apology to your sisters. As it is, seems like your were using sensationalized falsehoods, just to get a little extra publicity at their expense.

Abusers, and child killers still don't get a long enough sentence for their crimes.

@3:39 - the music is from "Mulholland Dr." That haunting, eerie theme plays in the second half of the movie. I'm surprised no one in the comments mentioned this. It's odd that they used it here, but it somehow fits in with MD's theme of the dark underbelly of Hollywood.

All the accounts of abuse that Christina has talked about in the book is false. I was looking at Joan Crawford's history of adopting all 4 kids should speak for her generosity. Unfortunately Christina wanted all the money and everything that Joan worked hard for. All she has to do is go out get a job and make her own way. Why is it that now Christina is saying that the coathanger incident never did happen?? Yet that scene is in the movie?? Shame on you Christina!!

Christina was a defiant, manipulative, and unruly child! THAT'S why she didn't like the movie -- She wanted the movie to be a sob story about her, when it actually portrayed her very realistically in the teenage years!

Where can u view this doc? Does Netflix have it yet..?

The most likely place to experience violence is home and the most likely people that might kill you are your spouse or your parents. Strangely enough is the murder of parents more rarely. The most dangerous place in the world is family. The police officers know that fact very well and they always count in the family members as suspects in a case of homicide. I don't believe that "only god knows what happened between that two people". I worked for many years in public service and at different schools. And it's shocking how common violence and abuse are in normal families. I believe Miss Crawford. Her story makes sense. In an interview Joan Crawford denied the need for therapy or any professional support when one has problems. (Sorry, I can't find it anymore, so I can't give you the link.) That was really odd, so the interviewer didn't ask for her opinion in such a topic at all. She just fiercely gave that statement and the audience applauded her for that heavily. I felt sorry for her. In my experience she's the kind of person with huge problems that strongly deny everything and wants desperately keep control (for example she was a heavy alcoholic). Ironically enough I am sure she would have really benefited from a proper treatment. Her poor upbringing and her sexual abuse by her stepfather are no secrets. And she worked in a hostile industry. So where could she go with her aggressive impulses and the conviction that the weak one will lose? You turn against your children is one possiblity and an easy one. Well, it's not an excuse for abuse and violence against children. But I think the picture here is a consistent one. I've seen it a hundred times before.

she reminds you of a blonde version of Barbra Streisand

There was a lawsuit filed by sister Cathy LaLonde in '99. Christina claimed Cathy and Cynthia weren't really twins, and Cathy claimed misrepresentation before winning. At the time Christina was promoting a then new edition of her book. It seems that new editions just keep coming, and new stuff is added to each one. I detect skid marks here. articles.mcall.com/1999-11-25/news/3274894_1_joan-crawford-adoption-issue-christina-crawford

people are callous. so much ignorance and contempt. in the end all things come to pass and karma proves itself to be the best vindicator and exonerator. such a tragic world.

I totally believe you Christine. Only the ignorant do not.

I've seen channels bash her n say she's lying.I saw a clip of Joan n Christina on the Jerry Lewis telethon and as soon as Christina came on stage n the camera n attention were away from Joan for 5 seconds, Joan grabbed her by the arm,on camera n rushed her over to the phones.Christina is grown, but does as she's told..If I can find it I'll leave the link.Its so obvious she was jealous of her,even as a kid.

Thanks for sharing!!!!

Raising awareness is great. Her celebrity is not right.

Complete b.s. You think it would have been better at the orphanage? You should have gone back then

Where can I watch this documentary?

How long will this woman feed off her mother's carcass?

Happy birthday christina crawford.

wow poor women she will live till her dead with such a karma by making money and trashing that women how took a ungraceful human as a daughter ...what a shame...

Where can I buy this?

I believe her Christina is telling the truth. Joan was a great star but a mean and vicious person. Bette Davis was the same mean and vicious, her daughter wrote a book similar. I don't condon child abuse. Bette Davis and Joan are exactly the same no matter what they say. They were exactly the same mean and horrible. You can just look at them and tell.

She’s such a liar!!!

Instead of having her career Christina has been making $$$ for years on using and bashing the Crawford name with an ever changing version of events..maybe she should move away from disrespecting her mothers memory and live a honest life for a change...

Why is this woman using her mums stage name Crawford???? she is using her mothers fame obviously, because Joan Crawfords real name is Lucille Fay LeSueur??? So why would this woman use her mums stage name??

Theirs something so unbelievable of Christina's story of abuse. I believe Christina never had the talent to become an actress like her mother and her jealousy propelled her to create this victim story she is selling. I believe Christina's frustration of not making it in Hollywood made her turn frustrated and angry that her mother made it.

A wag on a Joan message board just said that "Christina [in this video] resembles Baby Jane Hudson." The post meant the makeup/not-changed-in-40-years-hairstyle, but something else that I thought about: The height of attention paid to Baby Jane Hudson came when she was a child. The height of attention paid to Christina Crawford came when she was a child. Neither could subsequently let go of their childhood glory and spent the rest of their lives trying to recapture it.

basically she is still making money off her mothers name

TOTALLY AGREE.

Star struck people will believe anything even when they know in their hearts that individual is wrong...So what Joan Crawford could act,I believe her daughter people go through shit like this all the time but because it's a movie star it can't be true?Give me a break....

A misdemeanor back then to kill a child ....wow

I bet is Joan crawford was black they would not be defending her like that

electroaudio why can't she do something with her own life? She can't seem to move on. Living off of Joans stardom STILL. Years later

Her mother joan hate her daugther all her life too, I found that, even more patetic

Christina is an advocate for herself only

Should have stayed in the orphanage, she would have had a great life there, yeah.....

If you yourself were adopted would you say the same ? I don't think so :p

Still making money off trashing a dead woman then

Again Christina Crawford was left out of the will by Joan so she wrote a book for financial gain. I believe that it was Christina who in part drove Joan to alcoholism. She was a rebellious child, difficult, and unnaturally envious from a very early age. Joan was a strict disciplinarian as described by her other children who strongly disagree with Christina saying Joan was warm, and loving . Also we are living in an age where if you even scold a child it is frowned upon, and called abuse. Lets pretend that Christina is not the liar that she is, and was in fact abused, then all her actions would suggest is that she is the most unforgiving, lacking any human compassion or genuine warmth, blood thirsty, and money hungry. How do you make a fortune out of someone you hate, and still hate them with such unyielding, and unending vicious wrath. This is what love, and human tenderness would look like..."my mother was abusive, as a grown up I have considered her struggles emotionally, psychologically, and in the work place. I would like to think I understand, and chose to forgive, and love those things which were good rather then to have hate that consumes me for my parent." Christina C. Proves through her every action exactly what kind of witch she really is. A total psychopath.

This Jerry Rosenberg is totally monotone, completely no passion-talks like he cares less about what he's mind-numbingly droning on about.

this poor lady did a lot for raising profile on child abuse victims

She's always been envious and jealous of her mother. She wishes she was her. What an embarrassment

She needs to let this go. It can’t be healthy to build a career surrounded by abuse.

Christina, it's been years... Do YOURSELF a favor... Forgive you rmother AND MOVE ON!!

Regardless of your own experiences, none of us were there to witness her story. Bette Davis said Christina was living in a motel when she wrote it, so of course it was for profit. Christina has had her gay following make a parody about her childhood abuse, that is very disrespectful to others who have endured abuse. I knew a woman who lived through worse, tried to commit suicide at 13 because of constant years of sexual abuse since a baby, nothing worse than that. Today she has forgiven and dwells on her family, not the past.

She made her whole career out of hating and deriding her mother; I find that pathetic.

There were no ivfs for Joan in them days. That's why she could not experience child birth, but adopt. And the menopause gets to you.

😭😭😭😭

At least Joan had a real career. Christina couldn't make it as actress, so she made a career out of trashing her mother.

Get over it, Christina.

Christina, somehow i just do not believe you. i think you wrote this book because seeing an oppurtunity to make a tremendous amount of money you did. what makes me wonder about your claims is the twin adopted sisters said they never saw anything what you describe. and they were in your mothers will. also you should be grateful your mother helped you from the orphange you came from. i heard also joan knew you had written a book before she died and disinherited you.

also your claim to fame was writing this piece of fiction. because you couldnt make it as an actress.

Christina is a liar! Hail Joan!!!

you own to Joan Crawford everything !! Unthankful opportunist !!

I would love to see this woman move on with her own life...stop obsessing about bringing one person down. Joan Crawford's 3 other children deny all these accusations. So I keep that balance in my head. Just do something else with your life and stop dragging the same dead horse around.